ME66 ; ME67 Question
 

I am looking to get a shotgun mic for my DVX100. I was thinking about getting either a Sennheiser ME66 or an ME67. I know that the ME67 is supposed to be for longer range sound. But I just wanted to know how good the ME67 is for close-up sound. Is it as good or better than the ME66 close range? Also, I was wondering if anyone had any audio or audio+video samples of something they had recorded with either of these mics posted on a web site or anything? I just wanted to get a feel for what the quality was like on these mics, because I am planning on shooting a short soon and I was considering one of these mics as I don't have sufficient funds to purchase anything better at this time. Thanks for any help anyone can give.

The ME67 (like most long shotguns) is a very specialized tool and the very narrow pickup pattern would be really limiting for most short film situations.
The ME66, if equipped and used properly with your specific camera should work well.
The two things to remember are: The ME66 is a very high output mic and can overload the camera when used in a loud situation. If used in a very loud situation, the mic itself can overload. This mic is really designed for picking up dialog and other relatively quiet sounds.
If used indoors in a reverberent location, the ME66 (like most short shotguns) is prone to off-axis coloration. Usually a hypercardioid or cardioid mic is used in these situations.

Thanks Jay, I will most likely be getting the ME66. Anyone else have any suggestions of a better mic for this price range, or is the ME66 probably the best for my needs (short films) in this price range? Thanks again.

I have the ME66, but also picked up the ME64 capsule for more omni-pickup and ambient sounds, when dialogue is not the main thing.

Barry,
How do you like that ME64? I've been looking at it as well. Does the sound mix well with the ME66? I'm also thinking about getting the ME65.

I haven't put it to a significant test yet, but will eventually at a planned event where live music will be played.

This is an old thread, but I'm curious, Barry, how you've been getting on with your me64. I just got one and am reading up.
Thanks.

Shawn

I've got ME66, ME67 and MKE102 (Lav). I mostly use ME67 for 2 reasons:
- ME66 can sometimes pick up background noise if the enviroment is busy.
- ME67 has more range, so the boom man can stand from a distance.

Because ME67 is too narrow, it will be difficult to record a conversation between 2 people (u have to keep switching mic's direction). ME66 is better in these situations.

oh.. I just noticed it's an old thread. you probably bought the mic already :D

I've read recently on another forum where the 64
is better indoors than the 66 -- bit fuller sound
with less reverberation. The jist of it was that
the 64 is under-appreciated. One guy who
has both said his first choice is the 64; he only
goes to the 66 if the 64 doesn't work out.

I've been using the ME64 more frequently for indoor interviews, particularly if at least two people are involved and/or music is played, such as at a gala or something. I use the ME66 as general purpose outdoors, though I still sometimes use the ME66 for indoor dialogue if it's just a one-to-one interview in a quiet area.

Barry or any 64 users do you use the 64 on cam or boom?

Can anyone tell me if the me66 shows up in the frame when using a dvx100?

Dick Steele

On camera. Works fine there.

I have used the ME64 on both cam and boom, depending on my need for mobility.

Well, I shot some stage monologues from the pit, six or seven feet away from the speaker, with the me64 on cam, and it sounds quite good...full and clear.
I'll be interested to hear recordings of dialogue or discussion next, two situations I find myself shooting often.

To anyone who has the ME66, does it come with a windscreen or do you have to buy that separately?

You have to buy one. An olson costs around $27 a cheap sennheiser $40, serious wind gear starts around $150.

One of the best you can get is the Equalizer from LightWave Systems.

I would like to add another question about the me64/66 as I am thinking about buying one of them.

I made a bad experience with a cheap mic because its output was low (in my opinion and I am deaf dumb and blind when it comes to sound).
I only got sound levels between -30-20db if the mic was on the boom and about 1 meter or 3ft above the actor. The audio level on the xl1 was just below the point where I started to pick up noise. A fine -12db reading was only possible when I put the mic as close as 1ft to the actors mouth. Their speaking volume was the one of a normal room conversation and the location itself was pretty quiet. In short signal-to-noise ratio was reallly bad and I have to re-record the dialogues now.

I think I not-knowingly might have bought an interview mic which is not suited for longer distances.

So here is the question: How far can I go away with the Sennheisers to get a level of around -12db or better in such a situation?

I use the studio1 adapter and would use the Sennheisers with external phantom power.

Cheers, Peter

Output level on a mic has nothing to do with quality. A $1300 Schoeps has a 13mv output, about the same as a $280 AT 897 (10mv). mikes like the ME66 ($400) have a 50 mv output. the Oktava which goes from 50-$200 has a 10 mv output.

The weak link is your camera preamp, or lack of them. The studio one is a passive adapter. I don't know the XL1S audio so i don't know what you have working for you on the camera end.

If you're going to be buying an adapter ewith phantom you may as well spend a few more bucks and get the Sound Devices MP1 or the Beach DXA-8. The MP1 is a basic single channel pre with a limiter and phantom. The Beach DXA-8 has 2 channels, limiters, phantom and enough preamplification to satisfy yout on camera preamps.

Do a search as very much has been written recently on this subject.